Vehicle top



A. KELLER VEHICLE TOP Sept. 9, 1941.

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Sept 9, 1941 A. KELLER 2,255,289

VEHICLE TOP Filed May' 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TT ORNE A. KELLER VEHICLE TOP Sept. 9, 1941.

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.Sept 9, 1941 A. KELLER 2,255,289

VEHICLE TOP Filed May 19, 1938 `4 Sheets-Sheerl 4 M Ma.,

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.configuration when the top structure Patented Sept. 9, 1941l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vaincu: '.ror

August Keller, Dearborn, Mich., assignor to Motor State Products Company, Ypsilanti, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application May 19, 1938, Serial No. 208,876

2 Claims.

type in which the folds in the top covering material occur in substantially the same places during successive foldings of the top and in which the top material is uniformly shaped 'to a desired is in the raised or extended position.

. Another object of the present invention is to' provide a vehicle top of the collapsible or folding type in which jointed prop members are utilized to secure adequate support for the rear pillars when the top is in the raised position and in which provision is made for automatically moving said props into or out of supporting position relative to the pillars by movement initiated by movement of the header bar and transferred to said prop members through a train of pivotally connected links and levers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle top of the collapsible or folding type which is of simple and positive operation and which is easily moved from raised to folded position and vice versa. The top construction is such as to be readily manufactured and assembled and is adapted to be folded compactly into a relatively small space provided in the vehicle body. y

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle top of the folding or collapsible type in which provision is made for locking the rear pillar in -a Apredetermined upright position against forces tending to change its position, thereby providing a construction in which Athe upper part of the body door opening is maintained uniformly in a predetermined position, thus insuring positive and easy raising and lowering of the door windows.

A still further object of thepresent inventionA is to provide a vehicle top of the collapsible or folding type in which provision is made particularly to automatically brace the top inits raised position against the rearward pull exerted thereon by the top covering material.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersl designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation partially in section showing the top construction of the present invention applied to a motor vehicle body of the conventional convertible sedan type, the

parts of the top being shown in the positionwhich they occupy when the top is in the raised position. v

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view with parts broken away showing the parts corresponding to the positions occupied in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary elevations partially in section of the .top shown in Fig. 1

showing the top respectively in a partially andl vin a completely folded position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation partially in section showing a top construction embodying the present invention as applied to a motor vehicle body of the conventionalconvertible coupe type. The parts of the top are shown in the respective positions which they occupy when the' tially in section showing the top construction of Fig. 5 showing respectively the top in a partially and a completely folded position.

Before explaining in detail the. present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out invarious ways.A

Also itis to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, a motor vehicle top embodying the present invention comprises a framework which is attached to amotor vehicle body III by spaced pivotal connections II I2 and I3; which are provided on a bracket I4 which is secured to a structural part of the vehicle body. It is to be understood that if desired, the bracket I4 may be replaced by several separate brackets to provide the desired pivot points. The front part of the top is provided with a header bar I5 which is detachably connected A supports the main bow I1.

with the windshield pillar I9 when the top is in the raised position shown in Fig. 1.

Thsframework of the top consists of a main bow I1 and a rear bow I9 and a top supporting cross member I9. hereinafter referred to as an "auxiliary bow,""disposed between the header Il and the main bow I1, and a top supporting cross member 29, also hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary bow, disposed between the main bow I1 and the rear bow I9. 'l'.'he header bar I5, bows I1 and I9 and auxiliary bows I 9 and 29 extend horizontally of the -vehicle body and provide the framework which, in the raised position shown in Fig. 1. supports and. gives shape to the top covering 2 I.

The rear edge of the top covering 2I is secured to the vehicle body as at 22 and :the forward edge of the top covering 2l is secured to the header bar I5. A non-resilient webbing or top pad (not shown) extends from the header bar I5 to the rear bow I9 and is secured thereto. 'I'he auxiliary bows I9 and 29 and the main bow I1 are connected with said webbing and are moved thereby in a predetermined manner each time the top is folded. Thus the top material 2l is caused to be folded in predetermined places each time that the top is lowered. When the top is inthe raised position as shown in Fig. 1, the bows I1 and I9 and the auxiliary bows I9 and 29 stretch the top covering 2| in such a manner as to provide a neat and unwrinkledcovering as shown in Fig, l, this covering `being free from positive attachment'to the top frame members except at the header bar at the front and on the body at the rear.

The header I5, bows I1 and I1and auxiliary bows I9 and 29 are connected by a series of transverse link and lever members hereinafter described in detail with reference` to but one side of the vehicle top, it being understood that an identical series of link and lever members is provided on the opposite side of the vehicle-top as shown in Fig. 2.

'I'he series of link and lever ,members above referred to comprises a bow connection 23 which is rigidly secured to the header bar I5 and is plvotally connected with an outrigger lever 24 by means of the pivotal break ioint 25. A connecting lever 25 is plvotally connected with the bow connection 23 by the pivotal connection 21. Toggle links 29 and 29 are plvotally connected Y as at 39 and 3I to the bow connection 23 and the connecting lever 25, respectively. The toggle links 29 and 29 are plvotally connected as at 32 with each other and with an arm secured to the auxiliary bow I9.

The outrigger lever 24 is plvotally connected at 33 with a member carried by the rear pillar 34. The rear pillar 34 is rigidly connected with and The pillar 34 is secured to an arm or bracket 35 which pivotally connects as at I3 with the bracket I4 which is secured to-a-structural part of the vehicle body. The arm 35 is 4provided with a curvedextending portion 35 which in the embodiment shown in Figs. l to 4, inclusive, is preferably connected with a coil spring 31 having its opposite end secured to a bracket 39 which is secured to the vehicle body. 'I'he action of the spring 31'is such that when the top is folded in the position shown in Fig. 4, the spring'is extended, and when the top is in the raisedposition of Fig. 1, the spring is contracted. 'This action of the spring thus assists in facilitating the raising of the top, the

weight of the top when moving to the folded-` position being such as to extend the spring and' b uild up the spring pressure therein which is delivered back to the link`system upon raising of the top.

A balancing lever 39 is pivotally'connectedas at 49 with an end of the outrigger lever 24 and is pivotally conected as at I2 with the bracket I4. The balancing lever 39 is provided with an end portion 4| whichis plvotally connected as at 42 with the end of the leg of the rearbow I9.

A prop AJoint lever 43 is pivotally connected as at 44 with the end of the connecting lever 29 and is plvotally connected at the point 33 with the rear pillar 34. The prop Joint lever 43 has a pivotal connection 45 with a link 49. which in turn is' plvotally connected at the point II with the bracket I4secured to a structural part of the vehicle body.

A bracket 41 is secured to the leg of the rear bow I9 and an extending leg connected with the cross member 29 is plvotally connected as at 49 to the bracket 41.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the top construction embodying the present invention as there shown is mounted on a vehicle body 59 having a front windshield pillar 5I. 'I'he top frame comprises a header` 52, a main bow 53, a rear bow 54 and an auxiliary bow 55, which extend horizontally of the body and which are connected by a system of links and levers which comprises a bow connection 99 which is rigidly secured to the header bar 52 and which -is plvotally connected with the outrigger lever 51. The Outrigger lever 51 is plvotally connected with a balancing link 55 which in turn is plvotally `connected as at 59a with the arm 59 of the rear bow 54. .The end of the arm 59 is pivotally connected as at 5I with a bracket 99 which is rigidly secured to a structural portion 4of the vehicle body. The rear pillar 92 is provided with an arm 53 which is also plvotally connectedl at the point 5I with the bracket 99 carried by the vehicle body. The pillar 52 is held in the raised position by the jointed prop lever 54 which is plvotally connected at the point 55 with a bracket 65 carried by the pillar 52. The prop lever 54 is plvotally connected with the bow connection 55 by the connecting link 91 which is pivotally connected at 55 with the bow connection 55 and is pivotally connected at the point 99 with an end of the prop lever 54. 'I'he other end of the prop lever is plvotally connected at the point 10 with a lever 10a which is plvotally connected at the point 1I with the bracket 12 which is secured to a structural portion of the body. The supporting lever 19a is plvotally connected with a link 99 as at 5I. 'I'he link 95 is pivotally connected at 52 with the Outrigger lever 51.

It is to be noted that when the top is in the raised position as shown in Fig. 5, the points 1I, 15 and 55 lie on a substantially straight line intersecting the points 1I and 55, but that when the top is moved to the closed position the point 19 drops below the line connecting the points 95 and 1I. When the point 'I5 drops below the line extending through the points 55 and 1I, the prop lever 54 is moved from the supporting position to a non-supporting po'sitionnand permits the rear pillar 52 to pivot around the point 9I and move to the position it occupies when the top is in the folded position shown in Fig. 8. The framework of the top is provided with a suitable flexible top covering 13 which is secured to the headerP 52 and the body 50 at its front and rear edges respectively.

The operation of a collapsible top embodying the present invention of either the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive or Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, is substantially as follows:

When the tops are in the raised positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, they are detachably connected by the header bars I5 or 52 with the windshield pillars I6 or 5I. In both top constructions the train of links and levers are pivotally connected with the cross members to form with the cross members the framework of the top. 'Ihe construction is such that the train of links and levers is prevented from moving to permit pivoting of the cross members relative to the body structure except when the header bars I5 or 52 are moved upwardly and rearwardly from the top of the windshield pillars I6 and 5|.

In both of the tops here shown by way of example, the upward and rearward movement of the header bars causes the bow connections 23 or 56 to be moved in an upward direction and through the connected links and levers to impart a rearward thrust to the prop levers 43 or 64. In both instances this causes a pivotal movement of the joints 45 or 10 and breaks the prop levers at said joints so as to permit the rear pillar to pivot relative to the body structure. The breaking of the prop levers at the joints 45 or 1li permits the distance between the body pivot Il and the pivot point 33 on the pillar 34 (Fig. 1) or between the body pivot 1| and the pivot point 65 on the pillar point 62 (Fig. 5) to be shortened. The shortening of the distance between these pivot points is accommodated by a rearward pivoting of the pillar 34 (Fig. 1) or the pillar 62 (Fig. 5). The position of the respective parts upon the rearward pivoting of the pillars is shown in Figs. 3 and '1. It is to be noted that in the construction shown in all of the figures the points of pivotal connection between the top construction and the vehicle body are spaced from each other as distinguished from prior known constructions.

Frequently the body pivot points of the respective parts of the top construction are closely .adjacent each other. This spacing of the body pivot points is an important feature of the present invention and contributes to the ease of operation of tops embodying the present invention and in a smoothness of operation during the folding and unfolding cycles of operation.

Also it is to be noted that the prop lever (43 in Fig. 1, 64 in Fig. 5) is so arranged in each instance that the body pivot point, the intermediate pivot point, and the pivotal connection with the rear pillar lie in a substantially straight line when the top is in the raised position. This member provides a longitudinal support for the rear pillar and holds the rear pillar in the upright position when the top is in its raised position. 'Ihis is particularly desirable in tops of the so-called tumble in design in which the rear section is inclined downwardly at an angle to the rear bow so that the tension of the top material exerts a force on the top structure tending to move the parts to the folded or collapsed position.

The rear pillar is maintained in the upright position during the initial step of the folding operation which consists in the first movement of the Leader bar upwardly and rearwardly from the point of connection with the windshield pillars. As the header bars are moved, the prop levers are then broken and movedv from supporting position. moved from their supporting positions, the rear pillars are permitted to pivot relative to the body. This breaking of the prop levers prior to the pivotal movement of the rear pillars results from the location of the pivot 44 (Fig.v 1) and the pivot 69 (Fig. 5) at points forward of the face of the rear pillars 34 or 62. Thus the movement of the header bar is transmitted to the prop levers and a force is exerted thereon which causes the levers to collapse when the pivot points are thrown out of alignment. The movement of the header bar in the opposite direction brings the pivot points of the prop levers into alignment automatically and thus support the rear pillars in predetermined location in the raised position.

The'provision of a prop lever automatically vmoved to supporting and non-supporting positions relative to the rear pillars is a desirable feature which imparts rigidity to the rear portion of the top structure when in the raised position and assists in securing a positive alignment of all parts of the top when moved to the raised, position from the folded position.

The spring 31 (Fig. 1) is a desirable arrangement in certain types of top constructions, particularly where the top construction is relatively heavy. The spring 31 readily assists in the initial movement of the top from its folded position towards its open position. Its function is chiefly that of a counterbalancing member while the top is being moved from its raised to its folded position.

'I'he covering material for the framework of the tops of the present invention may be any suitable flexible covering material, such for example as cloth, leather, imitation leather, rubber, and the like or similar materials.

It will be readily observed from the foregoing that the top construction of thepresent invention provides a vehicle top of the collapsible type which is readily moved from closed to open position or vice versa and in which the movement in either direction is initiated by movement of the header bar.. This construction, while providing a top which folds compactly and occupies but a limited space when folded, produces atop construction which is of unusual stability and rigidity when in the raised position.

While the top constructions herein shown by way of example are intended to be manually moved from the raised to the folded position and from the folded to the raised position, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a power actuated device for raising and lowering the top, as for example suction or hydraulically operated cylinders, electrically driven motors, and the like. In such event the power actuated device could be substituted for, the spring 31 in the top construction vshown in Figs. 1 to 4, and whilethe application of power would be at a different position relative to the header bar, the linkages herein described in the operation of the top would be substantially the same. It is apparent that the cycles of operation during the opening and folding of the tops by such power actuated members will be substantially the same as that herein described.

The construction shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, may also be used in connection with convertible sedan bodies particularly where the top 1 construction need not be as heavy as the top construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. An advantage'of the construction in Figs. 5 to 8 in- As soon as the prop levers are clusive lies inthe fact that there are but two spaced body pivots as compared with the three spaced body pivots shown in the constructions of Figs. 1 to 4.' The use of the two body pivots `to 4 inclusive.

Features disclosed but not claimed herein are being claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 402,208, iiled July 12,- 1941.

I claim:

1. A top for a vehicle body comprising a header bar, a main bow and a rear bow pivotally mounted to the vehicle, an outrigger lever pivotally mounted on the main bow intermediate its length, a header bar link interconnecting the forward end of the Outrigger lever and header bar, a link interconnecting the rear end of lthe Outrigger lever and the rear bow, a prop lever pivotally mounted on the main bow intermediate its length, a link interconnecting the forward end of the Droplever and the header bar link. a supporting lever pivotally mounted at one end on the vehicle body remote from the mounting o! the'lmain bow and pivotally mounted at its other end to the rear end of the prop lever and a link interconnecting the rear end of the outrigger lever and the supporting lever intermediate its length.

2. A collapsible top for a vehicle body comprising a header bar, angularly related main and rear bows pivotally mounted on the body, a supporting lever pivotally mounted on the body at a point spaced longitudinally of the body from the mounting oi the main and rear bows, an out- -rigger lever pivoted to the main bow intermediate its length, spaced links pivotally connecting opposite ends of said Outrigger lever with .the rear bow and header bar, a prop lever pivoted to the main bow intermediate its length, connecting means between the prop lever Iand the supporting lever, means including a link interconnecting the prop lever and the link interposed between the header bar and outrigger lever. 4-

AUGUST KELLER. 

